Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2007 Chevrolet Malibu owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2007 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The contact immediately pulled to the side of the roadway. The power steering warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that after turning off and restarting the vehicle, the steering wheel started shuddering, was making an abnormal ticking sound, and was significantly difficult to turn. The contact was able to continue driving. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the contact was charged a fee for diagnostic testing. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was then taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the power steering motor had failed and needed to be replaced. The mechanic determined that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V064000 (Steering); however, the VIN was not included. …
I was driving in the country and my vehicle power steering and electronic setting started messing up while I was driving 50 miles an hour while it was locking up I was confused and then pulled over and thought it was just a glitch in the computer system I then turned off my car and then turned it back on and everything seemed fine while I was driving after a minute the steering wheel locked again and there was a deer in front of me my insurance went up because of this incident and I lost my car for a month once I got my car again from the body shop it stopped locking up on the steering wheel then last Friday I brought it to the mechanic and he told me the steering is electronic so there is nothing he can do and that I will have to take it to a dealer the computer system in these cars are messed up and they are dangerous to drive there are thousands of complaints just like this and …
The contact owns a 2007 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while reversing, the message "Power Steering Fault" was displayed, and the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The vehicle became difficult to steer, requiring extra effort in maneuvering the vehicle. The contact stated that while driving 60 MPH, the steering wheel was vibrating abnormally with the message "Power Steering Fault" displayed. While driving at an undisclosed speed on another occasion, the steering wheel continuously vibrated. The message "Power Steering Fault" was displayed. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic to be diagnosed or repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V064000 (Steering). However, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.
The contact owns a 2007 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving approximately 55 MPH, the power steering message suddenly displayed on the instrument panel and the steering wheel began to move from side to side. The vehicle became difficult to control. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the power steering control module was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The local dealer was contacted regarding the failure. The manufacturer was not contacted. The contact was informed that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V064000 (Steering). The contact indicated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was approximately 228,000.
The contact's granddaughter owns a 2007 Chevrolet Malibu. While her granddaughter was driving at an undisclosed speed, the power steering malfunctioned and the steering wheel became very difficult to turn in either direction. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who replaced the power steering assist motor however, shortly after retrieving the vehicle the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken to a second mechanic who replaced the steering torque sensor. The manufacturer and local dealer were not notified of the failure. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V064000 (Steering). The contact indicated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The approximate failure mileage was 125,000.
The contact owns a 2007 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the steering wheel was vibrating. The contact pulled over and restarted the vehicle. The steering wheel was uncontrollable and became inoperable. Additionally, there was an engine oil leak. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who completed unknown repairs. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number 15V064000 (Steering). The failure mileage was approximately 86,300. The VIN was not available.
STEERING WHEEL TWITCHES WHEN THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING SYSTEM ACTUALLY WORKS, BUT IN MOST CASES THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING SYSTEM DOES NOT WORK. THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING SYSTEM WILL ALSO GO OUT AND QUIT WORKING AS I AM DRIVING MY VEHICLE CAUSING A SUDDEN JERK IN THE STEERING OF MY VEHICLE. Consumer stated sensor has been replaced twice now and power steering currently is not working again. This is a safety concern because power steering would randomly quit working while driving. Consumer found a similar recall for this issue on other year Chevy Malibu but for some reason consumer's model is not included in the recall, but is still having the same issue.
The contact's mother owns a 2007 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the power steering assist intermittently failed to operate as needed with the "Power Steering Fault" message displayed. The contact stated that while driving 40 MPH, the power steering failure occurred, and excessive force was needed to steer the vehicle. Upon investigation, the contact was informed that the vehicle was previously serviced under NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V064000 (Steering). The dealer and the manufacturer were notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 135,000.
The contact owns a 2007 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the power steering became inoperable. The power steering message was displayed and there was an abnormal beeping sound detected. The contact called the local dealer but, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V064000 (Steering). The manufacturer was notified of the failure however, no further assistance was provided. The approximate failure mileage was 250,000.
The contact owns a 2007 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that once the temperature fell below 50 degrees Fahrenheit, the power steering assist would fail to operate as needed with the power steering warning light illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to the dealer and was informed that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V064000 (Steering). The contact called the manufacturer on several occasions but received no assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 51,000.
Related recalls
Steering › Electric power assist system
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2006-2007 Chevrolet Malibu and Malibu Maxx vehicles manufactured April 1, 2006, to June 30, 2006, and 2006-2007 Pontiac G6 vehicles manufactured April 18, 2006, to June 30, 2006.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the torque sensor assembly, free of charge. The recall began February 24, 2015.
Steering complaints in other Malibu years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 2007 Chevrolet Malibu?
NHTSA has 667 complaints about the steering of the 2007 Chevrolet Malibu, 68% of the model year's 977 complaints. The component named most often is electric power assist system (10 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2007 Chevrolet Malibu steering problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 15V-064 (electric power assist system, Feb 4, 2015). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2007 Chevrolet Malibu steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 105,000 miles, and 3% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 19 crashes, 0 fires and 13 injuries to steering problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.